Stimulus portal to reopen by week’s end

The Department of Finance’s stimulus portal will reopen by the end of the week, for the next batch of stimulus checks set to be released next Friday, May 22.

Finance Secretary David Atalig said the portal is closed to facilitate the uploading of new data, for their verification check. There are also individuals and taxpayers who are still processing, or whose forms have just been submitted to the Division of Revenue & Taxation, and which are in the process of being entered into the system.

“When you submit your information, we verify if you’ve already received the stimulus check or not, so that it will either allow or disallow you from entering your information.” Atalig said. “We will close it on Wednesday night, or Thursday, early morning midnight, so that we can process the next batch for the release on Friday.”

“We plan to open it back up at the end of the week so that those on the second batch are encouraged to submit their information and opt-in in getting the direct deposit,” he added.

The first batch of distribution was announced Tuesday, with the department distributing 27,020 stimulus checks amounting to $42.7 million. Every eligible individual gets up to $1,200 in stimulus, or $2,400 for joint returns. Each qualifying child also gets $500.

“We were given $37.6 million from the [Internal Revenue Service] at 80% of the total estimated award from the IRS for the stimulus. We’re anticipating another $6 [million] to $8 million of checks or direct deposits for the stimulus for our residents and this includes those that have not submitted income returns,” the secretary added.

The amount estimated for the CNMI, according to Atalig, was $48 million. “However, as we get returns and we get individuals that are qualified for the stimulus checks, we will be submitting in batches to the IRS and they will forward the funds to us. …This goes on from today, all the way through next year.”

Those who did not have an income, or are SSI or SS recipients, must also fill out a form in order to get the stimulus.

‘The portal is secure’
In line with the social distancing directives, particularly to minimize crowding at the post office, as well as the banks in line to cash the checks, the Department of Finance encourages people to use its online portal to sign up for direct deposit.

Atalig assures everyone that the portal is secure. “I do want to ensure the public that our portal is very secure. We’re bound by IRS security standards so the information is very well secured. Anyone putting their information, their social security numbers, or their bank information will not [get compromised].”

Those who have submitted all their paperwork, but have not yet had their stimulus deposited or received their checks in the mail are encouraged to contact the Division of Revenue and Taxation at (670) 664-1000, or email stimulus@dof.gov.mp.